Governor and Lawmakers Remain Divided Over Welfare Cuts

California Governor Jerry Brown and Democratic lawmakers remain divided over cuts to CalWORKS, the state’s welfare program. It’s one of the major issues left to resolve before the budget can take effect.

California Governor Jerry Brown and Democratic lawmakers remain divided over cuts to CalWORKS, the state's welfare program. It's one of the major issues left to resolve before the budget can take effect.

Brown's plan would cut off parents from welfare grants and child care after two years instead of four if they do not work or pursue job training.

Senate President Pro Tem Darryl Steinberg said he doesn't think CalWorks should be touched. And he doesn't want to drive families into homelessness at a time when unemployment remains high.

"We are working to find a place to land that incentivizes work which is the purpose of the program in the first place but at the same time does not cut people off unnecessarily or in a harsh way," said Steinberg.

A spokesman for California's finance department said the welfare program is supposed to be a temporary bridge to help families, not permanent.